Chapter 5

Christine leaned against the side of the orphanage with her wings spread out to absorb the warmth of the summer sun. She was in the orphanage's huge backyard and it was currently out-side time. The many orphans ran about and played with happy screams and giggles. All the while Helga, the kindly woman who ran the orphanage, sat on the porch swing mending a pair of shorts while keep an ever watchful eye on the children. Normally on such a sunny day Christine would be in Heaven spending time with her son Daniel and then come to guard Miles at night. But today, she had a bad feeling that Miles would be in danger. So here she was, watching and waiting. Miles, who was now 8 years old, was easy to pick out from the other kids with his two bushy tails. He was often thought of as odd by his fellow orphans because one of his eyes was blue and the other gold but Miles had managed to make a couple of friends all the same. If anything drove others from Miles, it was his gift. Miles often talked about the things he saw and heard and this disturbed both children and adults. But Helga was always willing to listen to Miles' stories.

Christine broke from her thoughts as she saw Miles drop the ball he was playing with and walk towards someone blocked by a bush. Christine silently followed Miles. She hid behind a slide and watched as Miles sat down cross-legged in front of a little girl. She had a babyish face with black hair put up in pig-tails. The little girl said in a high, sweet voice, "Let's play Patty-Cake."

Miles smiled and said, "Ok."

The two began their game as Christine thought, Something isn't right here. I've never seen that girl here before. I don't believe she is a spirit. I almost sense-

Suddenly, Helga's stern voice rang out, "Outside time is over children! Come inside, come inside!"

Miles turned to the little girl, "Sorry I have to go now. Maybe we can play tomorrow."

The girl's face immediately grew somber and her eyes began to tear, "Can't you play a little bit more?"

Miles flinched as Helga shouted, "Miles! You get in here too! Come on!"

Miles cried back, "But Helga! My new friend needs me!"

Helga appeared to be becoming distressed, "Well tell them that you will play later and come inside. Now!"

Miles sighed, "Sorry, I can't stay. Bye." All of the other children were already inside as Miles begun to walk towards Helga. The little girl's face twisted in rage and her pupils expanded till her eyes were black. With a snarl she lunged at Miles, her short nails quickly growing into long claws. Christine tackled the odd creature that was quickly morphing from a little girl to a horrible monster. Miles turned around to see Christine wrestling with a writhing creature. As she tangled with the beast, Christine noticed that it seemed to become smaller and thinner. Then, it slipped from her grasp completely. Christine looked about frantically until she saw a dark purple cobra slithering towards Miles who looked absolutely petrified.

"Run Miles, run!" shouted Christine as she scrambled to her feet. Miles turned on his heels and sprinted toward the orphanage. The cobra increased its speed and sprung at Miles. Miles fell to the ground with a yelp as the cobra wrapped itself around Miles' legs.

It shoved its reptilian face into Miles' and hissed evilly, "You're coming wittthhh me boooyyy." Miles felt his pants grow warm and wet as he urinated on himself in fear. Christine grabbed the cobra by the throat and yanked it off of Miles.

"Go back to Hell, Shapeshifter! Go back and tell your superiors that this child will never be theirs as long as I am his guardian angel!" With that, Christine flung the cobra into the air and blasted it with a small ball of light summoned from her palm. The cobra landed with a pained hiss and slithered away into the bushes.

With the danger gone, Christine turned back to Miles who was still sitting on the ground. Tears were streaming down his face as his wide, frightened eyes stared into some horrible place of his mind. Worried, Christine gave him a gentle shake, "Miles. Miles, dear are you alright? Say something." Miles blinked and looked about him. When he finally got his senses back, Miles grabbed Christine in a hug and began to sob. Christine hugged him back as the boy cried. She stroked his orange fur and wrapped her wings protectively around him.

Miles sobbed out, "I want my Mommy! I don't want a new Mommy, I want my old one! Where's my Mommy?!" Helga, who had gone into the orphanage to make sure the other children were safe, bustled out toward Miles and Christine.

Christine looked up and saw her and thought, Oh dear. How strange this must look. A little boy hugging and sobbing into thin air. Helga knelt next to Miles who was still crying.

She looked directly into Christine's eyes and said, "I cannot thank you enough Angel."

Christine's ears shot upward in surprise, "You can see me?"

Helga replied, "I can see you but I can't hear you." Christine nodded. She had been able to tell Helga was special but she had no idea Helga was gifted. Helga held out her arms for Miles. Christine detached him from her torso and placed him in Helga's arms. Miles had calmed down a little and was now whimpering and sniffling. Helga rocked him back and forth, "It's such a shame that he is hunted for his gift."

Daniel was stretched out on a cot as he stared at the celling. The 7 year old attempted to entertain himself by tying to pick out pictures in the various bumps and ridges on the celling. With a sigh he gave up. Daniel sat up and looked around. He was sitting in a decent sized gray room with one small barred window and a heavy wooden door that was bolted and locked from the outside. Inside was a toilet, a sink, a tub, and the cot Daniel was sitting on.

Daniel leaped off his bed and into the middle of his room. He had lived here for 5 years and it seemed as normal as the shackles round his wrists and ankles. Daniel dashed toward the wall as fast as he could. He jumped at the wall and ran straight up it until he reached the celling. Daniel drove his claws into the stone and hung there as he caught his breath. After a minute, Daniel swung his legs upward, latched the claws on his feet to the stone and let himself hang upside down. He spread and folded his wings which were huge for such a child his size. Daniel let out a bored sigh as he swung himself a little. His ears went up as the heavy bolt on the door slid. After a clank of the lock, Christine stepped into the room and shut the door behind her.

"Mommy!" cried Daniel.

Christine looked up and smiled, "How's my little sonic-bullet today?"

Daniel grinned, "I'm just hanging around."

Christine laughed, "Well aren't you hilarious? Come down and give me a hug." Daniel detached his claws from the ceiling and opened his wings in an attempt glide or float down. His attempt failed as he crashed and fell onto his cot.

He jumped up and shouted, "Tada!" Christine clapped as Daniel did a little bow. Daniel than jumped from the bed and into his mother's arms. Christine hugged him close and stroked his cerulean quills. Her fingers brushed his demon stripes and a burning sensation laced through her hand. Christine grimaced but she did not pull away.

No. I will not let Umbra's influence push me away from my son.

"I love you Mommy." said Daniel as he buried his face into his mother's robe.

Christine blinked away tears as she replied, "I love you too Daniel. Nothing will ever change that."

Author's Note: Hey Everybody! Here's the next chapter! Also, I'm going to be starting a poll about which story I should focus on more. Cause right now, I'm putting out chapters from both stories one after the other. If there is a winner, then the winning story will have 2 chapters put out and then the one chapter from the losing story. So please vote for your favorite. Thanks for reading and please review.